68K Medical Laboratory Specialist

The ASVAB isn't the only test that matters in the military. A Soldier's tissue, blood, and body fluids also need to be tested to detect and identify diseases. As a Medical Laboratory Specialist in the Army National Guard, you will perform these clinical tests that the healthcare team will use to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness of their patients.

In this role, you will examine blood and bone marrow samples; test for bacteria or viruses; and analyze tissue, blood, and fluid specimens for diagnostic information.

Job Duties

• Perform elementary blood banking and clinical laboratory procedures in hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, serology, bacteriology, parasitology, and urinalysis
• Collect blood specimens by venipuncture and capillary puncture
• Pack, unpack, inspect, store, and distribute blood products
• Assemble, disassemble, and maintain laboratory equipment

Some of the Skills You'll Learn

• Medical laboratory procedures
• Study of human parasites and diseases
• Laboratory administration and record keeping

Helpful Skills

• Interest in biology, chemistry, and algebra
• Ability to follow detailed procedures precisely

Through your training, you will develop the skills and experience to enjoy a civilian career with privately owned laboratories, hospitals, clinics, or research institutions. The certifications available to you after continued study and experience are medical laboratory technician, cytotechnologist, and clinical laboratory technician. Specific educational criteria must be met before you can qualify for certification.

Earn While You Learn

Instead of paying to learn these skills, get paid to train. In the Army National Guard, you will learn these valuable job skills while earning a regular paycheck and qualifying for tuition assistance.

Job training for Medical Laboratory Specialist consists of 10 weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 52 weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Training consists of both classroom and field work.